S&W 686

[swampthing]

Anyone got slugging specs for there 686? Cyl. dia. and barrel dia. Curious in a .357 for shooting 180g LBT hardcasts.
 

[Graybeard]

Why would you care what someone else's slugs you're only gonna be shooting yours so it's the one that matters. Contrary to popular belief just cuz one gun of a sort from a mass builder like S&W measures one set of dimensions that doesn't mean all do.

[swampthing]

  I don't want to buy a S&W if they {on average} have throats that are too close or smaller than the bores. I've heard of some Freedom Arms with throats that are smaller than the bore in .45cal. I would not be happy. 

[Graybeard]

You need to stop listening to internet rumors.

Freedom is as near to a full cusom as most of us will ever get. Their tolerances are held so tightly it's super rare for one to ever get out that isn't right. What you are hearing is BS.

S&W isn't as good but these days they really are doing it right most of the time. In older guns made for .45 Colt especially they didn't often get it right but I hear the newer ones are. Other than that it's rare to have one with dimensions off enough to worry about.

[mcwoodduck]

Don't know.
But my 686 Sillouhette is a well made revolver that is accurate. 
Get one.
I like the larger target grips- I think they are more comfortable with heavy hunting loads.
Pick a load and sight the gun in on it.- I picked 158 grain American Eagle JSP and bought 1,000 rounds at a time.
I will shoot 38 Spl. 130 grain Win White box for targets and plinking but the gun is sighted in with the 158's
It will be a lot more accurate than you ever will with it.
Mine is the Silhouette model and has an four position front sight and is sighted in out to 150 yards.  I come real close to a clay bird at 150 yards if i am not hitting it off hand with a Weaver hold.
The single action is crisp and clean.
The double action is smooth and short.

[swampthing]

Well now that the Government has decided for me that I will pay taxes on my health insurance, AS IF IT WAS INCOME!!  without asking me or you!!!!!!  I can't afford to take many chances. Thanks.

[Graybeard]

I have probably owned at least 10 or 12 S&W 586 and 686 revolvers. I don't recall one of them yet that didn't shoot better than me and in my time I was a more than fair shot. I competed all across the south and won hundreds of trophies, plaques and lots of matches that had no such reward.

I'd be surprised if you get one that doesn't shoot as well as you. Buy an FA and it will absolutely outshoot you.

[swampthing]

Were those with hardcast or jacketed. I do hardcast.

[mcwoodduck]

Me?
I use jacketed Soft points loaded by Federal in the American Eagle line and buy a case at a time.

[jlchucker]

Me?
I use jacketed Soft points loaded by Federal in the American Eagle line and buy a case at a time.

Do you save your brass? 

[mcwoodduck]

Most of the time.
I have a huge box in the garage of once fire brass from most of what I have.
Gave a bunch a way to friends just before I moved.
WHY?

[AkRay]

He's probably asking since factory ammo is so expensive.  The brass is useful for reloading too. 

[jlchucker]

He's probably asking since factory ammo is so expensive.  The brass is useful for reloading too. 

Exactly.  Nowadays brass is hard to come by--and for some reason loaded ammo is getting hard to find in some handgun calibers.  If you want to take up handloading, it sounds like you've already got a stash of brass.  If not, there's plenty of handloaders who'd be interested in buying your brass. 

[Lloyd Smale]

I dont think ive ever seen a smith 357 that was out of spec and if they are small its an easy fix that will cost you about 30 bucks. Much better to be small then big as you cant put metal back.

[mcwoodduck]

He's probably asking since factory ammo is so expensive.  The brass is useful for reloading too. 

Exactly.  Nowadays brass is hard to come by--and for some reason loaded ammo is getting hard to find in some handgun calibers.  If you want to take up handloading, it sounds like you've already got a stash of brass.  If not, there's plenty of handloaders who'd be interested in buying your brass. 

I know I intend to get dies for the different calibers I have for my Dillion 450 and 550 but for a while it was cheaper to buy a case or two of loaded ammo than the new upper for the 550 with dies.